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What Others are Saying About the Attacks on Planned Parenthood

MEDIA

The New York Times, Editorial, July 22, 2015

"The Center for Medical Progress video campaign is a dishonest attempt to make legal, voluntary and potentially lifesaving tissue donations appear nefarious and illegal. Lawmakers responding by promoting their own anti-choice agenda are rewarding deception and putting women's health and their constitutionally protected rights at risk."

The Sacramento Bee, Editorial, July 16, 2015

"Anyone who has agonized as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease claimed a loved one knows how desperately many Americans hope for progress in stem cell research. And anyone who has ever needed birth control but lacked the means to afford it knows how valuable Planned Parenthood is as a community resource. Unfortunately, an undercover video, shot by anti-abortion activists posing as biotech executives and edited for maximum shock value, threatens to create fresh waves of misunderstanding and new obstacles to public health and the science around it. Predictably, republicans have fallen all over each other with denunciations. But the charge that Planned Parenthood is illegally selling fetal parts for profit is cynical and bogus."

San Jose Mercury News, Editorial, July 27, 2015

"Anyone with half a brain can see through the heavily edited "gotcha" videos purporting to show Planned Parenthood officials illegally bargaining to sell tissue from aborted fetuses. The videos are grossly misleading and politically irresponsible. The research that fetal tissue makes possible at respected universities across the country has produced vaccines that have saved millions of lives and now targets Alzheimers, Parkinsons and other fatal, heartbreaking diseases."

CONGRESSIONAL CHAMPIONS

US Senator Barbara Boxer (CA)

"We know it is an attack on a group that saves lives every day. This is a fight they have picked before. They come out here with this, as if this were the first time they have ever attacked Planned Parenthood. Well, we won it before, and we will win it again." "We are going to make sure that Planned Parenthood is still there for the millions of women and families who depend upon it."

US Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA)

"I strongly oppose what is becoming a major effort to defund Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood has ensured women receive the health care they need for almost 100 years now."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader (CD-12)

"Let's have an investigation of those people who were trying to ensnare Planned Parenthood in a controversy that doesn't exist. They've been out to get Planned Parenthood for as long as I can remember," the California Democrat said. This is about women's health."

Rep. Raul Ruiz, MD (CD-36)

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because as an emergency medicine physician, I know that the right to choose is a decision based on a woman's immediate and lifelong health needs that is made between a woman and her doctor."

Rep. Lois Capps (CD-24)

"Planned Parenthood provides exceptional health care services to millions of individuals who might not otherwise have access to quality, affordable care. I stand with Planned Parenthood because of their steadfast dedication to women's health care and reproductive rights."

Rep. Mark Takano (CD-41)

"For decades, Planned Parenthood has provided a number of valuable services to millions of women, and any attempt to strip the federal funding of Planned Parenthood would result in limiting access to women who may have little choice in terms of health care. I stand with Planned Parenthood, not only because of the great work they do, but because millions of women depend on their clinics every single day."

Rep. Pete Aguilar (CD-31)

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because for nearly one hundred years they have helped women of all backgrounds access affordable health care. Attempts to discredit their work threatens to unravel the progress we've made on women's reproductive rights."

Rep. Norma Torres (CD-35)

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they are an invaluable resource for our communities. From affordable healthcare to information and advice, Planned Parenthood is there for women and families of all income levels and backgrounds."

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CD-46)

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because women deserve access to quality and affordable health services. It is unacceptable to threaten women's health and safety because of partisan politics and misguided agendas. I will keep fighting for the right of women to make their own decisions about their health."

Rep. Mike Thompson (CD-5)

"I strongly support Planned Parentood Northern California's high-quality medical services, the education they offer to people in our communities, and I applaud their advocacy to maintain access and funding for important services. I am strongly dismayed that we still have to defend against Title X and other family planning cuts in Washington. But I stand with Planned Parenthood 100 percent and have throughout my career."​

Rep. Julia Brownley (CD-26)

"For 100 years, Planned Parenthood has been a trusted community partner, providing breast cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and contraception to thousands of women in Ventura County, many of whom might otherwise be unable to access these critical services. I stand with Planned Parenthood because I understand that access to birth control and healthcare services not only saves women's lives, but also reduces the number of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. I will always defend a women's right to reproductive health services and life-saving preventative care."

STATEWIDE AND LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS

Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom

"From STI and HIV Testing/Treatment to lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings -- Planned Parenthood is helping to keep women and their families healthy and safe. Attempts to defund PP would leave these women and their families – many of them lower income – without access to their caregiver and that's unacceptable . I hope you'll join me in Standing With Planned Parenthood."

"The attacks on Planned Parenthood are not just an unwarranted assault and violation of an organization, but represent a dangerous attempt to undermine the reproductive rights and healthcare of all women and families by anti-abortion activists who apparently will stop at nothing to advance their ideological agenda. We must remain steadfast in our defense of women's healthcare and reproductive rights."

State Senator Holly Mitchell

"I know what Planned Parenthood really does every day: provide our communities with quality health care and education. This is why I continue to stand with Planned Parenthood in the fight for women's access to reproductive health care. It's time to stop waging war on women. It's time to change the narrative. It's time to talk about making sure that all of our communities have access to safe, quality health care services, including reproductive health care."

Senator Connie Leyva, 20th Senate District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because of their longstanding commitment to provide high-quality and affordable healthcare services to the men and women throughout my district. They have been a trusted partner throughout this state and nation in delivering access to healthcare services for those who have historically been priced out of the insurance network."

Senator Carol Liu, 25th Senate District

"As a member of the California State Legislature I proudly stand in support of the mission and work of Planned Parenthood. I believe all women around the world should have the right to control their own bodies and to make their own reproductive choices. Planned Parenthood provides breast exams, pap tests, cancer screening and prevention, testing for sexually transmitted infections, and other women's and men's health services.

As a Legislator, I reject the attempts by some members of Congress to strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood in response to a blatantly deceptive and pernicious campaign specifically designed to mislead the public. I am heartened that this effort failed in the US Senate.

In 2013, I recognized Dr. Mary Gatter for her work in support of women's health. She has dedicated her entire medical career to providing health care for women. As a former Peace Corps volunteer, she witnessed firsthand the impact of violence against women and the lack of access to health care services. As the Medical Director of Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, she works to provide women and men the healthcare they need at a cost they can afford. I supported and applauded her work then and I support and applaud it now."

Senator Joseph Dunn (Ret.)

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because our community needs access to reliable and sound medical information in order to protect our health and well being."

Senator Ricardo Lara

"Our communities deserve access to health care, and Planned Parenthood has provided this critical care for nearly 100 years. Their health centers offer essential services to the people I represent; the Long Beach center saw over 15,000 patient visits just last year. These are people (74% of whom are under the Federal Poverty Line) seeking birth control, STD testing, and life-saving cancer screenings. Planned Parenthood offers them quality, compassionate care—no matter what. I stand with Planned Parenthood."

Assemblymember Judy Chu, 27th Assembly District

"For many women – particularly low-income women – Planned Parenthood is a vital piece of our health care safety net. Through cancer screenings, family planning, STD testing, sex education, and more, Planned Parenthood greatly contributes to the well-being of our country. In fact, access to Planned Parenthood services has led to a reduction in teen pregnancy, abortions, and reproductive health problems. But that has not stopped partisan attacks. Let's be clear: the recent calls to defund Planned Parenthood are just the latest in a long campaign meant to deny healthcare for women and vulnerable communities. In many areas, Planned Parenthood is the only option to access these necessary, safe, and legal services. But that is not stopping opponents who are threatening to shut down the government for the sake of denying this care to low-income women. The benefits of federal support for Planned Parenthood are enormous, which is why I think Congress should be doing more, not less, to support this work of this organization in their fight to help women and families."

Assemblymember David S. Chiu

"After watching conservative news coverage of hidden-camera videos purporting to show that Planned Parenthood illegally sells tissue from aborted fetuses, I stopped by our local Planned Parenthood Northern California in search of facts. Sadly, as the NY Times & LA Times reported, the videos were heavily edited, as part of the war on a woman's constitutional right to choose. And I choose to ‪#‎StandWithPP."

Assemblymember Miguel Santiago

"For nearly 50 years, Planned Parenthood has been providing Angelenos with high-quality, affordable health care; for many of these people, Planned Parenthood is their only source of care. Restricting funding for this important safety-net organization would do nothing but hurt our communities. I stand with Planned Parenthood, and with the 2.7 million patients who rely on their health centers each year."

Assemblymember Jose Solorio (Ret.)

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they provide valuable health and education services to women in our community regardless of their income level."

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAMPIONS

Lindsey Horvath, Mayor of West Hollywood

"West Hollywood is proud to be the home of a new Planned Parenthood Clinic and, rest assured, we will vigorously defend women's access to pregnancy testing, birth control, vaccines, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare services within our city limits as well as beyond our borders."

Bao Nguyen, Mayor, City of Garden Grove

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because access to affordable reproductive health services and comprehensive sexual health education helps us be a healthier community."

Jordan Brandman, Councilmember, City of Anaheim

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because every woman has the right to determine her own future."

Lorri Galloway, Former Councilwoman, City of Anaheim

"Planned Parenthood is an important organization that deals with issues of equality for women and women's reproductive rights. It is a vital provider of reproductive health care for all women in the United States."

Vincent Sarmiento, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Santa Ana

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they stand for providing critical healthcare services to women in every corner of Orange County. Thank you Planned Parenthood!"

Michele Martinez, Councilwoman, City of Santa Ana

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because every woman has the choice to make their own decisions in regards to their bodies."

Sukhee Kang, Former Mayor, City of Irvine

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they have been a significant advocate of women's health and reproductive rights for as long as I can remember."

Brett Murdock, Former Mayor, City of Brea

"I support Planned Parenthood because women deserve access to respectful, compassionate, and affordable health care without discrimination. Their doctors, nurses, and other staff offer valuable medical and education services to those who need it. Many women rely on Planned Parenthood as their only means of health insurance and it's important to ensure they can receive care."

Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Supervisor

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they are an invaluable resource for low-income women and families of all backgrounds. For many people, Planned Parenthood health centers are the only health care options in their neighborhoods and any attempt to eliminate federal funding would have dire consequences."

Fred Shaw*, Carpinteria Vice Mayor

"Planned Parenthood is critical to the health and lives of women throughout the country, including those more economically disadvantaged. A woman can receive topnotch health care including education, prevention, cancer screening, routine wellness checks, and yes, access to contraception and, if desired, legal and safe abortion services. To denigrate and attempt to defund an organization dedicated to preserving a woman's fundamental right to choose her health care path is both morally and constitutionally wrong." *For identification purposes only

Gregg Hart, Santa Barbara City Councilmember

"I am proud to stand with Planned Parenthood. For nearly a century they have been the leaders in providing women and families with professional, compassionate, non -judgmental, cutting edge medical care, empowering women to plan their families thereby achieving unprecedented opportunities."

Paula Perotte, Goleta Mayor

"I'm proud to stand with Planned Parenthood because as a mother and grandmother, I can't imagine a world without them. Planned Parenthood provides health services such as cancer screenings, HIV testing and STD treatments that are vital to maintaing good public health. In addition they provide millions of women and families with comprehensive family planning and sex education that actually prevents unwanted pregnancies and their consequences. We need more funding to continue and expand Planned Parenthood's mission."

Helene Schneider, Santa Barbara Mayor

"Planned Parenthood is the most trusted provider for women's health care in the nation. Millions of women have access to vital services such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, STI and HIV tests and birth control because of this organization. I know as a former administrative employee of my local affiliate that Planned Parenthood employees are local heroes, and we should Stand with Planned Parenthood always."

Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County Supervisor

"I am a longtime supporter of Planned Parenthood because the health and family planning services they offer for our community are critically vital. They are an important health care provider for the Central Coast and a key partner in advocating for women's health. The recent attacks against Planned Parenthood are a distraction and have one goal — to restrict women's right to make her own personal healthcare choices. I'm standing with Planned Parenthood and denouncing these attacks. Join me in continuing to support their important work and the vital services they provide to our community."

Janet Wolf, Santa Barbara County Supervisor

"Planned Parenthood is a highly respected organization because their clinics provide outstanding reproductive health care to men and women of all income levels. Planned Parenthood has been subjected to more lies and harassment and I will redouble my effort to ensure that our community knows the truth….I stand with Planned Parenthood and thank them for providing access to healthcare for all."

Carmen Ramirez, Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem

"Get the facts! For decades in our community, Planned Parenthood has provided vital healthcare of all types to women without other means, including cancer screening and disease prevention. Please join me in supporting Planned Parenthood locally and nationally."

Cathy Murillo, Santa Barbara City Councilmember

"Planned Parenthood is providing essential health care services to both men and women in Santa Barbara. Recent attacks have a goal of defunding PP, which would leave these women and their families – many of them lower income – without access to their regular caregiver and that's unacceptable. We must remain steadfast in our defense of women's healthcare and reproductive justice."

Carlyn Christianson, San Luis Obispo City Councilmember

"Planned Parenthood has helped millions and millions of women and men with reproductive health care for the past 100 years, especially with the difficult issues regarding unplanned pregnancies and the access to safe and legal abortion as well as compassionate prenatal care. Planned Parenthood has bravely stood up for women's health and women's bodies and women's choice when no one else would or could, and that's why I stand up for Planned Parenthood now."

Doreen Farr, Santa Barbara County Supervisor

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they believe in the fundamental right of each individual, throughout the world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual's income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence. And for many people, Planned Parenthood provides access to critical and lifesaving healthcare."

EDUCATION OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

Cynthia Aguirre, Trustee, La Habra City School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because I believe that young people everywhere have the right to the knowledge, tools and services they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and healthcare. I feel that our nation's young people have the right to live full, healthy and productive lives."

Valerie Amezcua, Trustee, Santa Ana Unified School District

"I support Planned Parenthood as they provide comprehensive sex education. Our community needs to be educated in all areas whether we are discussing abstinence, prevention of STI's and many other topics. Planned Parenthood provides these much needed services to all."

Randall Ceniceros, Trustee, Colton Joint Unified School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because abstinence is not sex education. Lack of early intervention leads to teen pregnancy and the spread of STD's… Women need choices and their reproductive process should be their decision and not in the hands of politicians."

Jeff Cole, Trustee, Anaheim City School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they provide vital medical services to undeserved communities. I am proud to stand with Planned Parenthood."

David Robert "D.R" Heywood, Trustee, Anaheim City School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they continue to stand with millions of women who otherwise would not have access to quality health care services."

"Despite all of the undeserved controversy and lies swirling around about Planned Parenthood, many -- but not all -- of us already know how essential the work of the organization is to our nation as a whole and the Latino community in particular: In 2013, millions of people visited Planned Parenthood for a wide variety of health services -- and 22% of those patients were Latino."

Al Jabbar, Trustee, Anaheim Union High School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because every person has the right to have access to affordable reproductive healthcare!"

Abigail Medina, Trustee, San Bernardino City Unified School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood for the simple fact that they provide parents and teens the resources needed, not just about sex, but also about reproductive health."

Art Montez, Trustee, Centralia School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because Planned Parenthood offers safe and secure programs to families throughout our community. We must all stand together with Planned Parenthood to ensure everyone has access to professional health care."

Dr. Jose F. Moreno, Former Anaheim City School District Trustee

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because our communities need access to high quality health education and services that include responsible planning and support."

John Palacio, Trustee, Santa Ana Unified School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because our community needs access to comprehensive health education so that they can make informed choices."

Annemarie Randle-Trejo, Trustee, Anaheim Union High School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they were there when I needed to have my annual health examinations and didn't have health care. It provided me with peace of mind – and that was priceless."

Connor Traut, Trustee, Centralia School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because women deserve a safe environment to be trusted to make their own decisions."

Donald Singer, Trustee, San Bernardino Community College District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because it provides needed and necessary health related concerns in a thoroughly professional and legal manner."

Kent Taylor, Trustee, Colton Joint Unified School District

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because simply stated, it is just the right decision."

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because they have been this nation's most arduous supporter of women's reproductive rights."

Monique Limon, Santa Barbara Unified School District Trustee

"As an elected leader who is charged with thinking about the education of our students, I am proud to call Planned Parenthood a partner who helps us ensure students have access to factual, medically accurate, and comprehensive health education. I stand with Planned Parenthood because men and women of all income levels not only need access to factual, medically accurate, and comprehensive information but also need access to the services that are provided by Planned Parenthood that include but are not limited to medical exams, cancer screenings, and HIV/STI testing."

Betsy Butler, Executive Director, California Women's Law Center

"Anti-abortion politicians are now seizing on this opportunity to try to defund Planned Parenthood, and deny access to reproductive care to many, including low-income, uninsured women who are most in need of its services. [Across] the nation, Planned Parenthood health centers are invaluable resources for the communities they serve. Women and doctors should not be terrorized for accessing and providing legal health care services-- this is why the California Women's Law Center is proud to stand with Planned Parenthood."

"I stand with Planned Parenthood because it provides important health services for women and does so with professionalism, sensitivity and respect. While the original mission of Planned Parenthood was to help women in responsible family planning, it has expanded its scope of service to include providing many other vital health services."

Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force

"Why should LGBTQ people care about Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health providers? Because LGBTQ people use birth control, have abortions, get tested for HIV, get screened for breast and cervical cancers, and use fertility treatments – and many people receive those services through Planned Parenthood. We also recognize that those who attack organizations such as Planned Parenthood have a view that disavows empowered decisions about our reproductive health and LGBTQ people's empowered decisions about how to build our own families."

Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights

"NCLR stands with Planned Parenthood at this time of unrelenting assaults. The specious allegations being leveled against this critical network of health centers are nothing more than a transparent attack on the ability of all people to receive compassionate, non-judgmental reproductive and preventive health care.

"Planned Parenthood health centers and other reproductive health care clinics, in addition to providing essential family planning and abortion care, are often the only source of care for many in underserved and vulnerable communities. For many LGBTQ people, who experience stigma and discrimination in the health care system, the specially trained staff and tailored programs – including services for transgender people – offered at these clinics are a lifeline."

JoDee Winterhof, Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs, The Human Rights Campaign

"Right now, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the target of an intense, politically-motivated smear campaign–fueled by misinformation and potentially illegal tactics–and it's being driven by an extremist group that seeks to not only attack our fundamental right to access quality health care, but undermines our basic dignity as Americans.

PPFA provides vital medical services to many in the LGBT community–including routine examinations, pre-natal care, cancer screenings, HIV and STI testing, and contraceptive services, among other reproductive health care services. Not only that, but they are strong allies in the fight for full LGBT equality–including supporting the recently introduced Equality Act and other legislative priorities. The organization also joins HRC in strongly advocating for comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive sex education for our nation's young people.

While some opponents of women's rights and LGBT rights in Congress gear up again to try and defund this vital organization, we stand with PPFA."

Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights

"NCLR stands with Planned Parenthood at this time of unrelenting assaults. The specious allegations being leveled against this critical network of health centers are nothing more than a transparent attack on the ability of all people to receive compassionate, non-judgmental reproductive and preventive health care.

"Planned Parenthood health centers and other reproductive health care clinics, in addition to providing essential family planning and abortion care, are often the only source of care for many in underserved and vulnerable communities. For many LGBTQ people, who experience stigma and discrimination in the health care system, the specially trained staff and tailored programs – including services for transgender people – offered at these clinics are a lifeline.

JoDee Winterhof, Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs, The Human Rights Campaign

"Right now, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the target of an intense, politically-motivated smear campaign–fueled by misinformation and potentially illegal tactics–and it's being driven by an extremist group that seeks to not only attack our fundamental right to access quality health care, but undermines our basic dignity as Americans.

PPFA provides vital medical services to many in the LGBT community–including routine examinations, pre-natal care, cancer screenings, HIV and STI testing, and contraceptive services, among other reproductive health care services. Not only that, but they are strong allies in the fight for full LGBT equality–including supporting the recently introduced Equality Act and other legislative priorities. The organization also joins HRC in strongly advocating for comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive sex education for our nation's young people.

While some opponents of women's rights and LGBT rights in Congress gear up again to try and defund this vital organization, we stand with PPFA."